Lead up to the Leaving Certificate Results (Part 2)

Student Engagement & Development Officer - Rebecca Dempsey

In the months leading up to the Leaving Cert, students turn to past students for advice. The CAO has been a topic of conversation within the ISSU office as a few officers have recently sat their exams. It’s a strange thing to look back on, as 6 years later I now have a better understanding of the system. It wasn’t until 6th year that it really hit me that I would have to make decisions for my future. College was the next step in life and I knew that that’s what I wanted but choosing a course, “the course”, was extremely difficult.Looking back, I honestly had no idea what I wanted to study. I had researched and shadowed a few people in their workplaces to gain some ideas but I really didn’t know. I enjoyed Physics and Geography in school but I really liked Maths, English and Business Studies. I found Irish and French difficult, but I knew that if I ever wanted to study Primary School Teaching I would need to do well in Irish. I made the decision to drop to Ordinary Level Maths and to keep Honour Level Irish. I couldn’t handle both at Honours Level and it was a good decision for me but if I could go back, I wouldn’t have made the same decision. I know now that I would have enjoyed learning Irish if I had reduced the stress that I had created around it. In hindsight I should have gone with my gut, instead of trying to keep up with my friends or to please others.I switched between so many courses, that in the end my CAO Application was a cocktail of different courses. It illustrated my interests, or what I thought my interests were and I pretended to be happy with that. I mentally compared my options to my friends when I should have taken the time to consider a course that I would actually enjoy. So after the change of mind period my CAO looked like this;On the first round of offers in August, I was offered Science in DCU and Pharmacy Technician in AIT. I accepted DCU and that was where I was going. There was a big problem with this decision though and that was that I had no interest in studying science. I had it on my CAO because it was all I had a read about in the months leading up to the Leaving Cert. Science was spoke about as the best area to work in and that is where the jobs would be, or so people were saying at that time.I was unhappy with my decision but I thought that I didn’t have any other options. That was until my Mum sat me down and told me to read a column in The Irish Times which was written about CAO Vacant Places. I can remember her clearly saying, “Read this, and then read it again”. I had never heard of Vacant Places or how it worked and I was happily surprised to read about course vacancies and see that new courses were available. I spotted Mathematical Sciences in Dublin Institute of Technology and I knew that that was what I wanted to study. I always enjoyed maths and I was interested and keen to learn maths in a different environment. I decided on that course, updated my online CAO application and a week later I was offered a place. I now have a Bachelor of Science Honours in Mathematical Sciences and I know from my college experience that I want to teach second-level students in the future.My experience in college was extremely tough and at times I felt that my course was too difficult but I never gave up. I was lucky to have the option of undertaking work placement during my degree and I was fortunate to find my place and interest in student politics also. I've taken a lot more than just my degree out of DIT. A degree may be a piece of paper but it is an invaluable piece of paper that no one can change or take away from you. It is a fantastic feeling to graduate and to feel proud of your own achievements. I think everyone deserves the right to feel that way and there is an abundance of help available in college also, all you have to do is ask for it.If I could give my 17 year old self some advice, I would say to read as much information as possible when it comes to the CAO and to consider the Vacant Places option. Taking a year to work or repeating the leaving cert is an option too. I would tell myself to go with my gut instincts and believe in myself more. I didn’t know what I wanted to do at that age and I’m happy that I didn’t. I had to take a chance and I’m glad that I did. The CAO offers may seem daunting but there are routes and different options available. It can work out; take it from someone who has been through the process. The very best of luck to you all!Please note: Blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union.More information can be seen on the CAO website https://www.cao.ie/The ISSU advises students and parents to use the National Parents’ Council post-primary (NPCpp) free phone exam helpline (1800 265 165) to seek independent advice from qualified guidance counsellors. This will be available from 10 am 12th of August, more details will be shared next week.

(Part 1) Lead up to the Leaving Certificate Results

Deputy President - Joanna Siewierska

My CAO* experience began way back somewhere in Transition Year guidance class when our counsellor, Ms Fagan, opened up qualifax.ie and cao.ie and asked us what would we like to do in college. We all smiled and thought, what is she on about; sure we have two more years to go...Fast forward to September of last year, and as we prepared to go to the Higher Options event, the nerves began to kick in. I came back with a nice stack of prospectuses and different coloured pens and total confusion. There was so much to choose from. I also attended the international colleges fair in UCD* with some friends, which I enjoyed a lot but it made the choice of possible colleges and courses seem endless.For some time, medicine in Italy seemed like the perfect undergraduate experience however I changed my mind about that pretty quickly. Later, a scholarship in UCC* attracted my attention, but in the end I decided to take advantage of the fact that I live in Dublin and have easy access to a broad choice of excellent colleges and universities. Still, the choice of courses was massive!From Science to Drama, English to Computer Science, I was hovering over every course that had anything to do with any of my interests. It was tough. The one thing that I knew was that 6th year was draining me and the only way I could manage it was by staying involved and active outside of school in the hope to distract myself from the inevitable exams.Staying involved was one of the best decisions I made in 6th year, despite many people warning me against it. I got the fantastic opportunity to spend a weekend in Brussels with some friends from Youth Work Ireland in October and in November ISSU sent me and a friend to Bratislava for three days. I loved those experiences because not only did I get to escape and experience new cities, I also got to learn more about European politics and in particular about the Student Union movement around Europe. They were great opportunities to see life beyond exams and school and I found them very motivating to study and to aim high.During 6th year I was also involved in some work with the Junior Minister for Equality. As time went on I realised that social issues, equal rights and working together to make the world a better and fairer place for all was something that I was really passionate about. I suppose, to some extent, I was already slowly working towards those goals on a small scale, and I really wanted to continue doing so. I began thinking that in order to make a real difference in the world you need to be a decision maker, someone who is involved with governments and people who run countries and decide on what is fair and what isn’t. In that way, you can become a part of making changes in laws and policies which, once implemented correctly, can have a direct effect on the lives of many people. Obviously, this is a really simplified image, but basically, it was my belief that to achieve equality and social justice in the world you need a solid knowledge of law and then apply it. So, when I saw the course titled 'Law with Social Justice' in UCD, I fell in love!It wasn't easy choosing UCD. As a younger sister of a devoted TCD* student, UCD was the enemy. But, having visited the Law open day in Trinity, I knew that it wasn't the right place for me. It just didn't feel right and the social justice modules really appealed to me. For a while I considered other options, I had been to Maynooth University before and I was a regular at different events and conferences in DCU*, but I felt I could achieve higher points than those required for many of their courses. In the end, I decided to be ambitious and brave and put down UCD's Law at the top of my CAO. Later on, actually on the day of the CAO deadline, I went on a proper tour of the UCD campus and I was even happier with my choice.After the exams I was exhausted and didn't really care about anything other than getting back to normal. In the time coming up to the exams, and during them, I was certainly not my usual self. I was agitated, moody and tired. Soon after my last exam, I managed to get a part time job and I settled into a routine which helped balance the mood swings and relax the nerves. Now, as the results are getting closer, I do feel some nerves creeping back but nowhere near as much as I did during the exam season. I'm a bit of a workaholic, so between my job, ISSU work and other engagements, there's not much time left in my day to worry, only a few hours to sleep. I'm doing pretty well and feeling good.For now, I have requested time off work on results day and the day after. Regardless of what news I'll find in that envelope, I plan on celebrating surviving the Leaving Cert with friends. I will worry about where I'll be going in September later. I know that the CAO offer is a big deal, but it's not the end of the world. Second round offers, checking papers and getting new grades, vacant places in courses; there are plenty of ways to sneak into that dream course. And if not, then who knows, maybe my second choice (or whatever else comes) will be better!I feel like even though university or college is important now, the education that we get, regardless of where we get it and in what field, will only take us as far as we work for it . No fancy reputation or shining facilities will mean anything if you don't put in the work, and equally if you get into a course in a smaller institution or get an apprenticeship, if you work hard, you can achieve great things.So my advice to all of you waiting for results with me is this, don't worry too much about what you'll be doing next year, worry about how hard you will work to make the best of it! :)Please note: Blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union.CAO* - Central Applications OfficeUCD* - University College DublinUCC* - University College CorkTCD* - Trinity College DublinDCU* - Dublin City UniversityThe ISSU advises students and parents to use the National Parents’ Council post-primary (NPCpp) free phone exam helpline (1800 265 165) to seek independent advice from qualified guidance counsellors. This will be available from 10 am 12th of August, more details will be shared next week.

Leaving Certificate Japanese

Leah - Ordinary Level

Ah yes. The sweet thoughts of my final exam. Actually, no. The Japanese Exam itself was not sweet, in my opinion. However, the thought of it finally being my last and final Leaving Cert exam was sweet like honey. I was very unlucky in the fact that I would have not one, but two exams on the 19th but I chose to grin and bear it.It was an extremely long day today for me which seemed to also be running out of time - especially when it came to my Japanese exam. I know for a fact that if I had chose to take the Higher Level Paper, I would be kicking myself in the shins right now. So I am glad I dropped down only a few weeks ago.The Japanese Paper consisted of a lot of Katakana, which was to be expected. The first two comprehensions weren't too difficult, I didn't think. Most of the answers you could almost guess. The Grammar section on Question 2 was also somewhat easy and the culture question was the usual level of ease.When it came to the remainder of the paper however, I was challenged. I gave the third Comprehension my best shot but I could not answer the last parts without putting Hiragana where Katakana was supposed to be - or vice versa.By the time it came to the Aural Exam, we had reached the home stretch. This part of the exam was easy, but I was tapping my foot, begging for it to be over. When it hit 5, I ran out the door fairly promptly. I was free!All in all, the Leaving Certificate is a pain for 2 long years but when you're finished, it's almost as if it didn't happen. I hope everyone gets the results that they're hoping for and remember: if it's important to you, you'll find a way. These head-wrecking exams do not and will not define you. Everything seems impossible until it's done and until then, we may as well enjoy process as much as we can.Please note: Blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union.

Leaving Certificate Religion

Leah - Higher Level

Hello hello, long time no see! I expect you're all feeling well and happy today because it is the final day of exams. I realise that the vast majority of you may have been finished for quite some time. For me on the other hand though, I had 9 days leading up to the final day. As the 19th got closer and closer, I could feel my skin crawl. I was itching to be finished with the aul' before it even started.Anyway, so I woke up this morning with just under 2 hours sleep under my belt and I could tell that today was going to be both the best day of my life and worst. Note: this may or may not be a bit of an exaggeration. Anyhow, when I got to my exam centre, I could feel all of my nerves in the pit of my stomach, lying in there like a pile of rocks. When I finally opened the Religion Paper, however, I felt a bit of relief.The paper itself was tough - I'm not going to lie. I mean, the way I look at Religion as a subject is that the questions are always disguised as fact-based questions but all they are truly looking for is for you to praise some higher being. That's just my opinion though, I could be wrong. I'm not an examiner, after all.For me, the questions were a bit confusing so I started on what I thought I knew best - Unit Three. I did Section I: The Irish Experience as my elective and that question was fairly handy. I then moved onto Unit Two and that one was somewhat more difficult. I got through it though and finished Unit One by the skin of my teeth. I really was blessed, in that sense.I remember when it came to my Religion Mock Exam and I was so tight on time but I felt really comfortable time-wise this time around. I'm just praying I got at least a C2 now. I did a good project though so that will help. It's all in God's hands now though.Please note: Blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union.

Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics

Asha - Higher Level

Finally done! Today was the last now I can proceed to hibernate for a while.I have to say, after all the hype it was an extremely nice paper. I did questions 1-5 and 10. The part A of qt 1 was either deceptively easy or just easy and B was not much worse. Considering the advice not to do qt 1 first I thought it was fine so I did. As for two I will admit to having been thrown off a little by part B but you couldn't have asked for a nicer 10. Both A and B were reasonably handy.I didn't think there was anything spectacular about the other questions. If you knew your stuff but I guess all we can do now is wait! I'll see you all on the other side in August!Please note: Blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union.

Leaving Certificate Polish

Joanna - Higher Level

Polish was making me nervous. It's one thing being fluent when chatting with friends, its another writing essays and stuff. I practiced essays with a friend until late last night and then again this morning, so going into the exam I felt ready but a bit drained.The topic for the comprehension was a surprise - fanaticism, all about extreme states and opinions, but not about terrorists and ISIS as you'd imagine, it was more an analysis of the psychology of satanist teens wrecking graveyards and football fans getting into fights after matches, ready to die for their team. Not really a topic I'm comfortable in English, but thankfully the questions were easy enough and most answers came straight from the text.Then the 100 word opinion piece, that was okay. I partially agreed with the quote that was given so I had a lot to say about it, being careful not to directly translate from English but to formulate grammatically correct Polish sentences. Then the 300 word essay was next.The topic that I did was a quote from "Socrates" about the richest person being the one who has the least. It wasn't too bad, just chatting about living in a materialistic world and how we need to appreciate things that we take for granted, like family and friends.Overall, I took my time and wrote enough to feel happy handing it in. My written Polish isn't the best, but I think the exam went well. Walking out of it felt surreal.It's all finally over! Woo!Please note: Blog posts reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union.